You can freely build on How Intel's Memory Hub Manages Graphics Data Across Different Memory Types
This patent expired in 2019. Every claim — 0 independent, 0 dependent — is now unenforceable. Anyone can use, reproduce, manufacture, sell, or offer for sale this technology without a license.
Original assignee
Intel Corp
Patent granted
2002
Expired
2019
Forward citations
25
What this patent covers
This patent describes a memory control hub that acts as a traffic cop between a computer's main processor and its memory. When the processor needs to access graphics data, the hub checks if the data is a graphics operand. If it is, the hub uses a translation table to map the processor's virtual address to the actual physical location of the data, which might be in main system memory or dedicated graphics memory. This allows the system to seamlessly move or store graphics data across two different memory pools while keeping the processor's job simple.
What is now free to use
All 0 claims of US 6362826 are in the public domain. Specifically:
The 0 dependent claims add narrowing limitations and are also free.
What is NOT covered
Patent expiry frees this specific invention. Separately-patented improvements made after expiry may still be protected.
Does not cover software-only methods for memory management that lack a hardware memory control hub.
Does not cover systems that only use a single unified memory pool without a translation table mechanism.
Does not cover methods of graphics rendering or image processing algorithms themselves.
Who is building on this today
Intel remains a primary player in integrated graphics and memory controller design, continuing to refine these concepts in modern CPU-integrated GPUs. Other major silicon designers like AMD and NVIDIA have evolved these concepts into modern memory management units (MMUs) and unified memory architectures.
Products built on expired version of this technology
Intel integrated graphics chipsets from the early 2000s
Unified Memory Architecture (UMA) implementations in desktop PCs
How to cite this patent in your documentation
Intel Corp. US Patent 6362826. Method and apparatus for implementing dynamic display memory. Granted 2002, expired 2019. Now in the public domain.
Note: This is a convenience citation. Consult a patent attorney for formal freedom-to-operate analysis.
PatentBrief is an educational resource and does not provide legal advice. Patent expiration information is derived from USPTO records and may not reflect continuation patents, divisional filings, or separately-patented improvements. For commercial use or production decisions, obtain a formal freedom-to-operate (FTO) opinion from a registered patent attorney.